Sunday, December 4, 2011

Tradition plays a tremendous part in the festivities surrounding the holiday season. Be sure to create traditions with your family and friends and do your best to keep them alive in this ever changing world of commercialism. And what better place to begin but in the hearth of the home, the kitchen. Roll-out cookie dough and festive cookie cutters can make holidays memorable. The sheer magic of baking and personally decorating the cookies is entertainment in itself. Just take a look at these Stained Glass Ornament Cookies Pattie created using cutter cookies she found at William Sonoma. Aren't they fabulous! And just wait until you see what she did with them. You'll be as delighted as I was:)

As I mentioned the other day, today is National Cookie Day and we are in the midst of National Cookie Cutter Week. I had big plans for today's celebration. As luck would have it, those plans are not going to come to fruition today. Here's why. For the past couple of weeks, I've been having problems seeing out of my right eye. Thinking it would pass, I just went about my business as usual. Well, it didn't work. As a matter of fact, it got worse. I tried eye washes, resting and even different reading glasses and it continued to get worse. I finally went to the eye doctor today and it seems I have a rather advanced infection in my eye and the doctor tells me it must not only be tended to but also requires a few weeks, at least, of rest. I'm not one to listen to the doctors but, It doesn't take a rocket scientist to plainly see there is indeed something awry. So, dear readers, I'm sorry to say, rest it will be; indefinitely...

I did manage to gather a few cookie trivia crumbs while researching for today's post. Rather than typing these tidbits of goodies here, I will send you on your way at your leisure. I've left tons of links in the resource section below.

Buttered Rum Cutouts

Buttered Rum CutoutsBetter Homes and Garden Biggest Book of Cookies
1 cup butter softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 tsp. rum extract
2-2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 recipe Royal IcingDirections
1. In a large bowl beat butter with electric mixer on med high speed for 30 sec. Add brown sugar, baking powder, nutmeg and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides occassionally. Beat in egg and rum extract until combined.
2. Add as much flour as you can and mix it in with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour with spoon. Divide dough in half. If it is necessary, chill dough for one hr til it is easy to handle.
3. Roll out half the dough onto the floured surface until 1/8 inch thick. Using floured cookie cutters, cut into desired shapes. Place one inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake at 350 F oven for 8-10 min or til edges are slightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack and frost if desired with Royal icing.Royal Icing
In a small mixing bowl combine 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1/4 cup warm water, 4 teaspoons meringue powder, and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Beat on high speed for 7 tp 10 minutes or until stiff. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons additional warm water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until glazing consistency. If desired, divide glaze and tint each portion with different paste food coloring. Use at once. Keep covered when not in use.To Store: Place in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature up to 3 days or freeze unfrosted cookies up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, frost.

By definition, a cookie cutter is "a device used to cut rolled cookie dough into shapes before baking." Traditionally, cookie cutters are made of copper, tin, stainless steel, aluminium, or plastic. According to the same defining source, the first known use of the words cookie cutter occurred in 1903. I beg to differ: In a Boston Cooking School Magazine article from 1902, titled Some Christmas Fancies, by Julia Davis Chandler, I came across these suggestions:

As you see, in paragraph two, the last sentence makes reference to the tinsmith who can supply the "cutters" by direction. Tinplate was used in cookie cutter production because it was cheap and readily available. It was also easy to form and solder, corrosion resistant, non poisonous and easy to keep clean. Cookie shapes were cut from pastry dough using these cutters made by local tinsmiths. A cookie cutter in the mid 19th century might cost between 5 and 10 cents and a family, in the course of time, might accumulate a dozen or so for use on special occasions.

Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Cookie decorating dates back to at least the 14th century when in Switzerland, springerle cookie molds were carved from wood and used to impress Biblical designs into cookies.The art of decorating cookies can be traced back to Medieval Germany where Lebkuchen was crafted into fancy shapes and decorated with sugar. During the 17th century, Dutch and German settlers introduced cookie cutters, decorative molds, and festive holiday cookie decorations to the United States. German cooking utensils, including cookie cutters, were imported between 1871 and 1906, and the American tradition of decorating cookies for Christmas tree ornamentation took hold.

Lebkuchen (gingerbread) was probably the first cake/cookie traditionally associated with Christmas. For Christmas over a hundred years ago, Pennsylvania German children in Lancaster County helped cut out and decorate foot-high cookies to stand in the front of windows of their stone or brick houses. These cookie people–often gingerbread men and women iced with rows of buttons and big smiles–were a cheerful sight to snow-cold passersby. Figural cookie-making was practiced in Europe at least as far back as the sixteenth century–most of them were made using intaglio molds rather than with cutters. (source)

Sugar Cookies for a CrowdThe Best of Amish CoookingPhylis Pellman Good (1988)

The quintessential cut-out cookie is the sugar cookie. Also called Amish Sugar Cookies or Nazareth Sugar Cookies, the modern sugar cookie was created by the Moravians, who settled in the Nazareth area of Pennsylvania during the mid-18th century. As a matter of fact, Pennsylvania adopted the Nazareth Sugar Cookie as the official state cookie in 2001.

I was graciously awarded with the Liebster Award by Helene from Masala Herb. (Thank you again Helene. It was sweet of you:) With her unique approach and style, Helene's blog never disappoints. I've discovered so many new ingredients and dishes by visiting her and her positive encouragement is contagious. Drop by and say hi when you get a chance:)

"The Liebster Blog Award comes from the German word meaning "dearest" or "beloved" and is given by fellow bloggers to new blogs with 200 or less followers, with the aim of encouraging new connections." I hope Helene understands that I think it best to simply accept her award without passing it on for the time being.

For those of you talented cookie bakers out there, I happened upon a Holiday Cookie Contest, over @ Yummly Nibbles & Bits, that you just might find interesting. It seems the prize is a 7-Quart KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Hurry though. It closes December 9, 2011. Good Luck!!!

I have no intentions of not making some visits every now and again and there is no way I won't be popping in to wish you all a Happy Holidays. However, just in case we miss each other, enjoy the Holiday Season everyone and bake a lot of cookies!!! As a matter of fact, if you would like to leave your favorite cookie link in the comment section, link away!!! Louise:)

35 comments:

I was anxious to come and check out your Cookie post today; not because I make much anymore, but it is something I really enjoyed doing when my boys were growing up.Your post are always so intesting for me; lots of foodie trivia.

You certainly put in a lot of work considering what you are going through with your eye. Please take the time to heal; the computer is probably not the best spot for you right now.This will drive you nuts especially now.Be patient and take good care.Hugs,Rita

Rest up, indeed, Louise. So sorry to hear about your eye, but you better heed the doctor's orders. You need to keep those sharp eyes of yours in good working order! I'm always amazed at the photos of lovely frosted cookies. Mine never quite come out that way, and I have found that when it comes to cookie techniques, I am definitely a specialist at "drop cookies."

Sorry to hear about your eye - make sure you get plenty of rest and I hope it will get better soon. I love, love love cookies!! It's difficult to pick a favourite but I'm going to go with this one as you just can't beat a good choc chip cookie http://themorethanoccasionalbaker.blogspot.com/2010/07/chocolate-chip-cookie-revisited.htmland this peanut butter and chocolate onehttp://themorethanoccasionalbaker.blogspot.com/2010/06/peanut-butter-and-chocolate-cookies.html

Gosh, I wish I had some of those adorable cookie cutters! The palm tree is adorable.Well, I'm right on the money (for a change) as if it's national cookie day, as that's what I'm gonna be doing this afternoon!Fun post, Louise!

I think I have to try those apple-butter cookies TODAY. The Knight tried to put buttermilk in the cart last night, and I reminded him I only use it for biscuits and I wasn't making biscuits this week...

Fantastic Fantastic Post. The title you picked "Cut it out its National Cookie Day" was just as fantastic. Great list of links too. I will be linking to your post on my blog for sure.

Love that Buttered Rum recipe-

I really hate to hear your having eye problems my friend. Get some rest and feel better really soon. Go eat a few batches of cookies and I'm sure it will nurish you eyes for sure. You can eat them with your eyes closed too ya know.

What would we do without your fun posts. But all jokes aside, get some rest. RELAX! That infection will clear up. It will all still be here when you get better.Thinking of you & Happy Cookie Day!

And did I miss what's wrong with your eye? Sorry! I hope you're doing better soon. My beloved had cataracts removed at Northeast Eye Institute here in May, and he's thrilled. It was much less hassle than an acquaintance in NJ is going through right now with his cataracts.Hope your eye is on the mend.

Guess what, Louise! I'm going to a Christmas cookie exchange party in a couple of weeks! I'm going to keep this post in mind. While others pick their recipes from Food Network, mine will have history to them! :-)

And aw, Louise, I'm so sorry you're having eye troubles. I really hope you find out the diagnosis and a cure for it. Hugs to you.

What a great post, as usual, Louise! Mmmmmm, apple butter cookies. I'll have to try those. I adore apple butter, have never had cookies with it in.Hope your eye is better soon. This is not the month to be slowed down by physical trials!HugsTrisha Faye

hi louise, sorry to hear about your eye. i hope it's nothing serious. I was just about to google on come christmas bake ideas and your posts come at the right time, i shall chk out some of the links here later. You take a good rest!!

Oh no, so sorry to hear about your eye. Thanks for getting out all these great cookie sources, though, Louise. You out did yourself again! Good advice also to keep those traditions going. It's so important to family and life! I have to say that if I put cookie decorations all over my tree, we'd have a bare tree in no time. I looked at the link and her tree is beautiful! Have a great day and I hope you heal fast.

Love these new cookie ideas for our cookie trays we deliver. Sad to read about your eye Lousie.. hope you're on the mend real soon xox Happiest of holiday wishes to you & may Santa fill your stockings with all the joys of the season.

So glad you enjoyed your visit, Rita. You are absolutely right, the glare of the computer screen is not pleasant at all. I am beginning to see better though:) Enjoy the holidays and thank you so much for visiting:)

I'm so rested up, T.W. I'm going bonkers just thinking about all the things that need to be done. However, I did manage to pass the holiday cooking chores onto my son and daughter in law. Should be interesting since they are vegetarians! You may not be happy with your frosted cookies but that "Wedding Cake" of yours was priceless!!! (I'm sure the frosted cookies would be too:)

Thanks for leaving those links, Baking Addict. I'm all over those Peanut Butter and Chocolate cookies. Blame it on my addiction to Reese's. Thanks so much for popping in, Ros. Enjoy the holidays!!!

I bet your cookies came out simply dee...li...cious, Heather. Thanks for popping by...

Thanks, Inger.

Thanks for dropping by, Marjie. Marion has plans to bake bar cookies Friday night because she agrees they are easier than baking cookies. Should be interesting. Of course it's simply her way of keeping me patched up and out of the kitchen. We'll see...

Cutout cookies don't usually like me either, Kathy and I must admit, I need to be in the mood for certain ones myself. As for my eye, it is getting much needed rest because they now have me wearing a patch. However, it sure doesn't help my other eye any and I'm losing my patience, quickly!!! Thanks for stopping. It's always nice to "see" you:)

I knew you would want to check out those Zaletti, Reeni! My eye is slowly on the mend...

I'm afraid I'm not very patient when it comes to cut-out cookies either, Tiffanee but they are fun to bake once you get in the swing of it!!! Thanks for visiting!!! That Hot Chocolate on a Stick is a wonderful gift idea. Love it!!!

So how was that cookie exchange, Sophia? Amazing I bet!!! Thanks for the hugs, they were just what I needed:)

So glad you enjoyed it, Trisha. I had huge plans for celebrating December. We'll just need to tackle them next year!!!

Where's mine, Duckie?

Still resting, Lena. I hope you found something truly delightful in those links. Thank you so much for your kind words:)